« I knew there was a space, because when you come out of the European Cup, when you are a team like La Rochelle, there can be a kind of relaxation. There was none. » If Christophe Urios and the Clermontois, who came away beaten (20-15), had the opportunity to win this Saturday, it was in fact not due to an attitude problem on the maritime side. This was confirmed by the solid yellow and black defense on the last ball carried by the opponent. However, Ultan Dillane highlights a mental aspect in La Rochelle's current difficulties, and it is one of the lessons of the match.
1 Too variable mental intensity
“Second year, mentally, I think we weren't really there. Especially in terms of discipline, points out the Franco-Irish 2nd line. Something that annoys me a little is that in big matches like against Toulouse and Leinster – well, maybe not last season in Dublin – we play a little more for 80 minutes than in matches like this tonight. Where there, when we think that we are managing well, perhaps we fall asleep a little…” “We no longer have the right to lose at home after what happened (against Vannes, Editor’s note). Everyone makes a lot of effort on the pitch, it doesn't let up. When there are losses of balls, everyone is moving, running, no one complains on the pitch, Grégory Alldritt tempers despite everything. When we are all on the same wavelength, when we increase intensity, when we give a lot of energy, when we move around, we are very dangerous. Now you have to manage to do it for 80 minutes. »
2 Content not consistent with ambitions
“After Vannes, we absolutely wanted to be at 3/3 for the Christmas holidays. On the other hand, on Thursday, we come back to train with, I hope, a lot of humility and the desire to prepare Perpignan to really challenge them for 80 minutes, insists the captain. We were not good on our supports, our collisions. I'm being choosy because we have clear ambitions. Of course we have a smile, there is music in the locker room but when we see what we are aiming for, we have to be demanding of ourselves. » The Gersois mentions in particular the card of Thomas Berjon, taken “because the whole team is not doing the job. Up front, we can do much better on defense. »
“I’m very happy. It's my first try, but it helps the team and that's all that matters.”
3 A hit, an ovation and a reconciliation
Regarding this temporary exclusion (47th), Mr. Brousset's decision seemed harsh throughout the stadium, as there was nothing obvious about the forward, nor its voluntary side. Enough to lead to a huge bronca but also a reaction from Ronan O'Gara, which earned him the reprimands of the referee. What Deflandre did not like, who immediately gave his manager a standing ovation. A little wink from history, the first time that the yellow and black people had supported him in this way, it was after his altercation with Christophe Urios, also present on Saturday. Moreover, after shaking hands with the Asemist manager after the break and promising to come and talk to him after the match, “ROG” kept his word to go and share a beer with his Auvergne counterpart, which the latter recounted on Sunday on the RMC antenna.
4 A “lucky” first try for Dillane
Never since his arrival at the club has Ultan Dillane scored a try. He waited until his 59th match to achieve this. “I was very surprised, and even a little lucky,” he reacted. Indeed, on a penalty, “I made a mistake in my announcement” by jumping beyond the 15 meter line, eliminating offside for the defense. But if the Jaunards came to cut off his connection with his partners, the others forgot to place themselves between the goal and him (17-3, 34th): “I'm very happy. It's my first try, but it helps the team and that's all that matters. »
“Antoine (Hastoy) is coming back, with a little playing time, I think he will have some [à Perpignan] »
5 Ihaia West confirms, Antoine Hastoy plays again
“Ihaia (West) put in another great performance, I think he led the game well, especially with his 50-22 in the second half which did a lot of good for everyone,” reacted Rémi Talès, when asked on its openers. He played four matches performing quite well, which is good. Antoine (Hastoy) returns, with a little playing time, I think he will have some [à Perpignan]. We need everyone. We have 10s with a lot of quality, they need to express themselves, to have confidence. We are counting on our three 10s, and even four with little Diego (Jurd, Editor's note), in Espoirs. We want them to challenge themselves. »
6 Rotations to be expected in Perpignan
On Saturday, Reda Wardi withdrew from the morning of the match due to illness. Jonathan Danty (knee) and Tawera Kerr-Barlow (hit a nerve in the shoulder, according to Talès), are not expected to be restored for the 13th day, Sunday December 29. In Aimé-Giral, other absences should be expected, with some internationals mobilized in November not having yet been able to take their vacation. “We put a lot of pressure on them, they deserve to breathe a few more days,” slips the Landais. We think in particular of Will Skelton, who only missed one match, while he was with Australia…
